Elite Sports Physical Therapy

Another MMA Fighter Working With ESPT

2011-10-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy is pleased to announce that we are working with MMA fighter Dominique Robinson, "The Real Fallen Angel."

Dominique is a young up and coming MMA fighter who's origins lie in the deep south of Louisiana. He began his training at American Kickboxing Academy under the tutelage of Bob Cook. He left when Frank Shamrock had a falling out with the gym. After splitting with Frank, he began to offer himself up as a training partner for the Cesar Gracie Fight Team.

Currently Domique works with Felipe Martinez on his boxing and calls this 2-Man Band the "Goon Squad."He is willing to go where he can to seek knowledge and take is MMA fighting the the next level. At the current time, he is the only fighter to have studied under both the Shamrock and Gracie families. Dominique has a career record of 6-4 with 4 TKO's and 2 Decisions.

We are proud that we can help Dominique continue to pursue his fighting dreams. You too can have access to the elite care that the The Real Fallen Angel receives. For information how, you can check out our website at www.espt-ca.com.

Go Sho!!

2011-10-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) is proud to be able to help people continue their pursuits. Whether you are trying to get back to work without pain, or compete at the very highest level athletically, Elite Sports PT is the place to go to help you get there.

In this blog, we want to give a shout out to Sho Nakamori who will be competing at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico this week. You can find the schedule here. We wish him and the rest of the US Men's Gymnastics Team the best. If you want to follow Sho on his journey, not just at the Pan Am Games, but to his ultimate goal, London 2012, you can go to his website at shonakamori.com.

ESPT is not just reserved for elite athletes though. Anyone can come receive the high quality physical therapy care that our clinicians provide. Spending time with patients is how we separate ourselves from our competition. Combining that with the best and newest equipment and first-class customer service, ESPT provides the best physical therapy in the Tri-City and Tri-Valley with offices in Fremont and Dublin.

To schedule an appointment, visit our website at www.espt-ca.com for details.

World Champion Fighter Chooses ESPT

2011-09-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Another elite athlete has chosen ESPT as their physical therapy provider. World Champion Muay Thai fighter Miriam Nakamoto is coming to Elite Sports Physical Therapy for her rehab needs.

Considered one of the top female strikers in the world, Miriam is versatile in both Muay Thai kickboxing and traditional boxing. She has been involved in the striking arts for over 11 years, and became a professional in 2005. She has a Muay Thai record of 13-0.

Miriam has a host of fighting awards, accolades, and honors to her name. A testament to her skill and her coaching, since she has bested fellow competitors with much more experience. The most recent title she captured was the the coveted WBC World Title on August 21, 2010 in Haikou City, Hainan Island, China. She scored a vicious first round KO over Luxemburg's Claire High. Haigh was ranked 3rd in the world at the time.

Miriam currently trains out of Combat Sports Academy in Dublin, CA under the tutelage of Coach Kirian Fitzgibbons, head coach of the US National Muay Thai team.

"It's a great honor and privilege that athletes of Miriam's caliber choose ESPT," says Director of Physical Therapy, Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS. "I think that speaks volumes about the level of service we provide and how we can meet the needs and expectations of these special patients."

With one of the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialists in the East Bay leading the team, ESPT has facilities in Dublin and Fremont to serve everybody's physical therapy needs. Whether you're a world-class competitor or a weekend warrior, if you want quality sports and orthopedic physical therapy in the San Francisco East Bay, there's only one choice- Elite Sports Physical Therapy.

For more information, feel free to visit our website at www.espt-ca.com.

ESPT Director Published In National PT Magazine

2011-06-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

ESPT's Director, Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, had an article published in the most recent issue of ADVANCE for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine. ADVANCE is a national publication for physical therapists highlighting new advances in technology, current trends in rehabilitation, and job openings available for PT's and PT assistants.

"It was a pleasure working with the ADVANCE editorial staff," says Jacon, the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in the East Bay. "They made it so easy to share clinical knowledge in their magazine. I hope other PT's and the public will see how far PT has advanced (no pun intended)."

Physical therapy is no longer just about ultrasound, massage, exercise, and electrical stimulation. A good therapist is not just an "exercise technician" or the extension of an MD. True physical therapists can evaluate and treat any musculoskeletal disorder, using current evidence and theory to support their rationales.

"I get disappointed when I see people come in after receiving 'physical therapy' from other clinics," says Jacon, "What they are getting is so archaic. The profession has come so far it's sad some clinicians are holding us back."

The article in ADVANCE highlights new technology that clinicians are using in rehabilitation, specifically an Anti-Gravity Treadmill that helps progressively load patients to help restore their lower extremity strength and normalize gait mechanics. Jacon hopes to bring the first one to the Fremont area later this year.

"Physical therapy in the 21st century is so much more. I hope that everyone gets the chance to experience what good clinicians with cutting-edge technology can do," states Jacon.

If you want to experience the level of care that professional athletes receive, don't hesitate to call ESPT for your appointment. With offices in Dublin (925.452.4656) and Fremont (510.656.3777), ESPT is looking forward to serving your rehabilitative needs.

You can read the complete article here.

ESPT Supports Olympic Hopefuls!

2011-06-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

At Elite Sports Physical Therapy, we pride ourselves in providing the highest level of sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. And we could receive no greater compliment, than to have people recognize us for the quality of our work. So it gives us great pleasure, to be able to sponsor Sho Nakamori in his quest for London 2012. You can check out his website here.

Few physical therapy clinics in the Fremont or Dublin areas could probably claim they serve this caliber of athlete. This a true testament to ESPT's commitment to providing the best physical therapy care possible. Nobody combines clinical excellence, first-class customer service, and cutting-edge technology like ESPT.

"I’m very fortunate to have Jacon on my side as I continue about this journey of mine!," says Sho on his website. And we are very honored to be working with Sho at ESPT.

With one of the few Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialists in the Bay Area available to the public, ESPT should be your #1 choice for sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. "We see patients from as far north as Sacramento and as far south as Carmel. It's thrilling to have people seek you out because they believe you can help them out," says Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, ESPT's Director of Physical Therapy.

For more information about how you too can receive the same level of care that professional athletes and olympians receive, check out our website at www.espt-ca.com. With convenient locations in Dublin and Fremont, ESPT is easily accessible for all your sports and orthopedic rehabilitation needs.

ESPT Celebrating Pilates Day!!

2011-05-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy will be celebrating Pilates Day this Saturday (5/7) at their new Dublin facility.

The first Saturday of May has been set aside by the Pilates Method Alliance (www.pilatesmethodalliance.org) as Pilates Day, to promote awareness of the many benefits that the Pilates method brings to every age group, to a variety of diagnoses, and to maintaining optimum health.

Feel free to come by between 10am-4pm to partake in the food, fun, and festivities. For more information check out our website at www.espt-ca.com and click on the Pilates Day link. Or call us at 925.452.4656 for more details.

Hope to see you there!!

TRX Is Here!!

2011-04-22T00:58:00.000-07:00

TR Suspension Training is now available at ESPT Fremont and will be coming to ESPT Dublin. Born in the U.S. Navy Seals, TRX Suspension Training is a revolutionary method of leveraged body weight exercise being used by pro athletes and fitness facilities. Easily set up TRX users can safely perform hundreds of exercises that can build power, strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. In addition to training, sports physical therapists are now using TRX to rehab patients and athletes.

TRX is a wonderful tool for all levels of patients. Users can easily adjust the resistance to meet their needs, while challenging muscles in multiple planes. Multi-planar movements are much more functional than standard one plane exercises. The result is more specific training, that is more similar to how we actually use muscles.

Even though TRX weighs less than 2-lbs., it delivers greater performance and functionality than large machines that cost thousands of dollars. As a result, it is seeing great adoption in fitness facilities across the nation. It is available at many Bay Area health clubs, and there is even a TRX specific training facility in San Francisco.

Call us in Fremont at 510.656.3777 to set up your appointment to try the TRX. Coming in the future to our facility in Dublin.

2011-04-18T23:15:00.001-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy is one of the few physical therapy clinics in both the Tri-City and Tri-Valley areas that you can follow on social media. You can follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, of check us out on YouTube.

In our current world text messages, tweets, updates, and emails, this is the wave of the future and ESPT is not afraid to be a leader. Check in with us on a regular basis to get updates on the clinic, including postings for upcoming events and information about how to best care for yourself.

For more information about ESPT, visit our website at www.espt-ca.com or call us in Fremont (510.656.3777) or Dublin (925.452.4656)

Dealing WIth Arthritis, Physical Therapy Can Help

2011-03-31T22:14:00.000-07:00

Approximately 27 million Americans with with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis is a result of mechanical wear on joints, but studies have also show that not loading cartilage enough could also be a detriment.

"The key for cartilage is health is performing the proper kind of exercise to nourish joint and provide proper stimulation," say Jacon C. Chun, ESPT's Director of Physical Therapy. "What people don't realize is doing nothing could be just as bad, or worse, than doing too much."

In an article on Medical News Today, one of the non-surgical treatment options for osteoarthritis is physical therapy. By getting a custom exercise program from a licensed physical therapist, people suffering from arthritis can get guidance on lifestyle modifications and can modify pain by improving strength, flexibility, posture, and balance.

For more information on how physical therapy can help, please do not hesitate to contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510.656.3777 (Fremont) or 925.452.4656 (Dublin). Or check out our website at www.espt-ca.com for more information.

We look forward to serving your physical therapy needs.

ESPT Expanding To Dublin

2011-02-21T18:17:00.000-08:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy is excited to announce that it will be opening doors to a new facility in Dublin in early March. Partnering with Velocity Sports Performance, ESPT will continue it's vision of providing top-notch sports and orthopedic physical therapy to the general public.

By expanding to the Tri-Valley, more of the East Bay will now have access to one of the few physical therapists in the Bay Area board certified as a Sports Clinical Specialist. Board Certification is provided by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities (ABPTS), when a physical therapist passes an exam, showing that they have proficiency in a certain area beyond that of their peers. Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, the Director of ESPT, is one of those Sports Clinical Specialists.

It's natural for most physical therapists to say they treat sports injuries and practice sports medicine. Both are tied very closely, but there can be a big difference between adequate and excellent sports rehabilitation. If a physical therapist hasn't been in a sports setting where you not only have to deal with constraints of healing tissue, but a very strict timeline, they may not be used to more aggressive rehabilitation protocols or programs to try and optimize recovery time.

At our Dublin facility, physical therapist Charissa L. Chaban, MPT, ATC is also an athletic trainer and performing artist. She understands fully the rigors of competition and performance, and will help design a treatment program for all her patients based on their specific needs. The plan will take into account the nature of the injury or operative procedure and the specific sports or functional goals of the patient.

At ESPT, our goal is to make sure that everyone knows what it's like to be treated like a professional athlete, whether or not you are one. For more information about us, feel free to check out our website at www.espt-ca.com or call 925.452.4656 to schedule and appointment.

Shopping Deals Continue Thursday

2010-11-28T22:04:00.000-08:00

Don't worry if you didn't get all your shopping done on Black Friday. Come out and join Elite Sports Physical Therapy for a shopping party at Sports Basement in Sunnyvale on 12/2 from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

In appreciation of our partnership, Sports Basement will provide a 20% discount on all purchases for those 2 hours. So come and get discounts on the latest snowboard and ski gear for the upcoming season or pick up some new training gear to start your year off on the right foot.

Don't miss out. Many of our patients and friends have already signed up to join us for this fun event. There will also be food and refreshment if you need some energy to get you through your shopping at the end of a long work day. If you want an idea of what to expect, check out some pics from last year's shopping party here.

For more details or to sign-up for our shopping party, contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510.656.3777 of check us out on our website: www.espt-ca.com.

ESPT Welcomes New Staff Member

2010-10-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy welcomed it's newest staff member in July, Smita Radhakrishnan, PT.

Smita received her professional degree in Physical Therapy from SRM University in Chennai, India in 1999. She has attended continuing education classes on various topics including Sports Massage, Pain Management, Management of Athletic Injuries, and most recently completed a year long course in Manual Therapy based on the Maitland concept.

Her philosophy as a therapist focuses on helping individuals improve their level of fitness, wellness, and quality of health, through awareness and understanding of their condition, along with the willingness to be personally responsible for their health and to put the appropriate effort required to maintain it.

Smita is multi-lingual and speaks Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam, in addition to English. Some of her other interests include Yoga, Reflexology, volunteering in the community, traveling, and spending time in Nature.

"We take pride in adding only the very best clinicians to our staff. We want to make sure that patients feel their care at our facility is nothing short of the best," says Jacon Chun, ESPT's Director of Physical Therapy.

We have received nothing but rave reviews thus far of Smita's work with patients. We look forward to people seeing just how good a physical therapist she is. We are thrilled to have her as part of the ESPT team, helping to serve the rehabilitative needs of the Fremont community.

For more information about us, check us out at www.espt-ca.com or call us at 510.656.3777 to set up an appointment.

Prevent Pediatric Sports Injuries With ESPT

2010-08-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

As summer ends and we get ready to embark on another school year, that means student-athletes will be starting practice with competitions soon to follow. Depending on off-season conditioning, the coach's awareness of injury prevention, and the athlete's own physical development, some of these students will end up with aches and pains, while others will be able to avoid them altogether.

"What's most disappointing is the majority of these injuries are totally preventable," says Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, Director of Physical Therapy at Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT). "Simple preventative measures such as adequate rest, hydration, flexibility, strength, and support, could mean the difference between sitting on the bench to recover or staying healthy and playing regularly in competitions."

ESPT is better equipped than any other clinic in Fremont to address the issues these young athletes face. With the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in the city leading the clinical team, you can be sure that each treatment program will be individualized for the injured athlete's particular sport and needs.

One key in treating young athletes is to remember that children are not little adults. Things that you can use in designing programs for grown-ups, need to be modified when you are dealing with an immature musculoskeletal system. "The last thing we want to do is cause more harm, when we are trying to do good," say Chun.

Another reason ESPT is more appropriately suited for these young athletes, is the fact that they can offer the most 1-on-1 Physical Therapist time in Fremont. With children, we can't expect them to have the same attention span as adults. So most children cannot be left alone to perform exercises. They need proper supervision and instruction at all times. This will allow for greater adherence to to proper technique and successful completion of each and every treatment session. This practice model is why we will afford the greatest opportunity for success when working with young athletes.

Combine our clinical expertise and first-class service with some of the newest, cutting-edge equipment and it's not hard to see why ESPT should be your first choice for an Outpatient Physical Therapy clinic in Fremont. Not just for young athletes, but for patients of all ages.

For more information about our services and how we can help you get rid of pain and get back in the game, contact us at 510.656.3777 or check us out at www.espt-ca.com.

Change In Physical Therapy On The Horizon?

2010-06-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

In it's June 2010 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is recommending a policy option to exclude physical therapy from the in-office ancillary services (IOAS) exception. This would be a start in prohibiting physician self-referral for physical therapy services. A step that the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) supports and will help eliminate abusive financial patterns by these physicians and help maintain the quality of physical therapy care for patients.

In chapter 8 of their report, MedPAC highlights the rapid growth of physical therapy services provided in physicians' offices and shows that some of the services ordered by those physicians are not clinically appropriate. Specifically the report states that these ancillary services "experienced rapid volume growth under the physician fee schedule from 2003 to 2008... the volume of outpatient therapy services rose by an average of 11.4% per beneficiary per year."

Until there is legislation enacted to effectively end physician-owned physical therapy practices, our best advice to you as a patient is: Do your due diligence. You have the right to choose which physical therapist you go to, regardless of who your physician refers you to. And if they refer you to a facility they have a financial interest in, they are obligated to disclose that to you.

At Elite Sports Physical Therapy, we are committed to not only providing you with the highest level of care in the Fremont area, but we hope to educate you regarding your rights and privileges as a patient. We want you to feel empowered by having control over the quality of care you receive.

Feel free to compare us at www.espt-ca.com to any other facility in Fremont. We are confident that you won't find better clinical care, customer service, and cutting edge equipment anywhere else. We would be glad to answer any of your questions as well at 510.656.3777.

For more information about physician owned practices, check out our previous blog here.

Pilates Options Grow At ESPT!!

2010-06-10T23:30:00.001-07:00

New to Elite Sports Physical Therapy this month is the EXO Chair by Balanced Body. This beautifully crafted piece of pilates equipment delivers a "unique and fun, full-body workout," according to the Balanced Body website.

The pilates chair gives therapists and patients a plethora of new exercises not previously available with other equipment. Challenging cardio and aerobic workouts can be performed with the chair and it is great for individual use by patients of all levels. From elite athletes to pregnant women to seniors, the EXO Chair allows for strengthening, flexibility, endurance, balance, and core work in a fun, new modality.

For more information about the EXO Chair or to sign up for classes with our pilates expert, Charissa Chaban, PT, ATC, please contact ESPT at 510.656.3777. Feel free to check us out at our website: www.espt-ca.com.

Physical Therapy Advice On YouTube

2010-04-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

One of the most important things for any business owner, is the ability to communicate with their clients. Addressing their needs, is one very important way to ensure that you are being relevant and current.

In the near future, Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) will be posting videos on YouTube on numerous physical therapy and health/wellness topics. Be on the lookout at our channel at: www.youtube.com/user/EliteSportsPT. Subscribe and you'll be notified when we post new videos.

For a little taste of what we're about, check out this awesome promo video shot and produced for us by one of the Bay Area's Premier Event Filmmakers, Andrew Hsu, of StudioMSV:

Care Credit Coming April 1st

2010-03-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

Beginning April 1st, even more people will be able to access Fremont's Best Physical Therapy facility. By using CareCredit to help cover medical costs, our patients can receive the medical care they need, when they need it.

We understand the difficulties people are facing in this economic time. With rising health care premiums and out-of-pocket costs, people often delay care for themselves because they are not able to afford even the cost of a co-payment (which insurance companies are also raising). With care credit helping to defray some of those costs, patients can now access physical therapy when it is necessary, not when it is convenient.

How Does It Work
CareCredit is basically a credit card that you can use in health care practices nationwide. From dentists to cosmetic surgeons, vision care to even veterinary medicine, CareCredit allows patients to start treatment immediately and pay balances over time with low minimum monthly payments. By using CareCredit, patients can also avoid dipping into their credit cards for health care expenses, saving their available credit for other financial emergencies.

You can apply for CareCredit 3 easy ways: 1) In person in our office, 2) Online at www.carecredit.com, 3) By phone at (800) 365-8295.

CareCredit can be used for co-pays, outstanding balances, and any durable medical goods that we sell. It can also be applied to charges for other family members and can be used at other participating medical providers. For more details, please check out CareCredit's website or call Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510.656.3777.

iPod Giveaway Winner!!

2010-03-01T22:58:00.000-08:00

The greatest compliment we could ever receive at Elite Sports Physical Therapy is the trust our patients place in us when they refer family and friends. In Jan/Feb of this year, we collected the names of all those who referred new patients to us for rehabilitation. These names were entered in a drawing for a 32 gb iPod Touch held today at our clinic.

Here we are drawing the name out of our magic Jack-O-Lantern:

Here is the winning selection- Can you read the name?

Congratulations to Paul Aboumrad for your referral and for your continued support of ESPT. Here's your super cool 32gb iPod Touch:

Go ahead- Go app crazy!!!!

For more information about our facility and to see why we are the sports and orthopedic physical therapy leader in Fremont, check out our website at www.espt-ca.com.

Data Shows ESPT is Fremont's Best!!!

2010-02-09T11:06:00.001-08:00

As Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) embarks on its 4th year providing sports and orthopedic rehabilitation to Fremont and the surrounding communities, it continues to establish itself as Fremont's Premier Physical Therapy Clinic.

Based on data collected for an outcomes study in conjunction with the Physical Therapy Provider Network (PTPN)/Physiquality, ESPT is 1 of only 2 clinics in the Fremont/Newark/Union City area that exceeds benchmarks for outcomes and efficiency.

What Does This Mean

The data collected measured clinic abilities in 2 main areas: Outcomes Benchmark and Efficiency Benchmark.

The Outcomes Benchmark measures how well an office achieves expected treatment outcomes based on much improvement patients receive. What this says is that ESPT is able to help patients improve and reach their goals better than its competitors. In other words, if you want physical therapy that you can trust in to get you better, you'll choose ESPT.

The second area of a clinic that is evaluated is its Efficiency Benchmark. Simply put, this measure indicates how efficient each office is in being able to achieve positive treatment outcomes. Higher ratings mean greater efficiency, because patients gain more improvement in fewer visits. So if you want to get better FAST, there's no other place in Fremont except Elite Sports Physical Therapy.

What The Best Looks Like

What is unique about our facility is that we provide the most 1-on-1 physical therapist time of any clinic in the area. And obviously the data shows that it's working. In addition to that, we have the latest cutting edge equipment and we have a team of the city's most experienced physical therapists. No PT on staff has less than 5 years of experience and we have the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist and the only Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist on staff.

For more details about us, check out our website at www.espt-ca.com or call us for more info at 510.656.3777.

Anthem Blue Cross of CA Leaving Members In The Lurch

2010-01-31T22:18:00.000-08:00

Beginning Monday, February 1, 2010, many Anthem Blue Cross members may have more difficulty finding physical therapists willing to treat them. A situation resulting from a "cost restructuring" move by the insurance company.

In November 2009, a letter was sent out by Anthem to all the physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists in its network, telling them that they would be switching to a flat fee rate of reimbursement of $75 per visit in February 2010. Depending on the services provided, this represented a 25-200% reduction in the reimbursement rate.

These rates are an absolute insult to these 3 allied health professions. I know personal trainers at gyms, with less education, that get paid more for 1-hour sessions. Why should medical professionals with advanced degrees be reimbursed less? In my opinion, these drops in reimbursement set a dangerous precedent because there will likely be 2 outcomes:

1) Good therapists wanting to devote time and quality care to their patients, will have to opt out of the network. This means that patients that want to see them, will have to bear more of the burden of the expenses.

2) Therapists that remain in the network will likely shorten time patients get with licensed PT's and use more aides/assistants to administer care. They may also begin to double book patients to try and increase productivity of their staff members. This will result in a significant drop in the quality of care and less than optimal outcomes for patients.

The bottom line is this "restructuring" will result in significant ramifications to both Blue Cross providers and patients. Throughout this process the last few months, Anthem Blue Cross has held steadfastly to the claim that this new fee structure will actually save their patients money. They have tried to justify their position by stating that decreased reimbursement to therapists will result in decreased out-of-pocket expenses for their patients. At our facility, we have already seen other insurances forcing patients to pay a co-pay/co-insurance ($40) higher than the reimbursement amount the insurances are paying ($35). Why should you the patient be paying more than the insurance company? What is your insurance premium going towards? Why should you have to pay higher premiums and higher visit costs?

The most disturbing aspect of this decision? Wellpoint, Inc., Anthem Blue Cross' parent company, posted 4th quarter net income for 2009 at $2.7 billion. A meteoric rise from $331.4 million from a year ago. Wellpoint says they are expecting continued growth and CEO Wayne DeVeydt is quoted as saying, "Our insurance subsidiaries remain well-capitalized and we continue to generate substantial operating cash flow." So why the need for higher patient premiums and cuts to provider reimbursement? You can read more about it here.

Though they are the most recent, Blue Cross is not the only insurance provider to change it's reimbursement methodologies and shows us why third-party payers fear a national health care reform that would challenge them for members.

While we wait for our leaders in Washington to come to an agreement on new policy, there are some things that you can do to preserve the quality and affordability of your health care.

Write a letter to Blue Cross representatives and voice your concerns. A sample letter and contact list can be found on the More Physical Therapy website here.
Write, call, or email California insurance officials and express your concerns. A list can be found again on the More Physical Therapy website above.
Contact members of Congress with your concerns using the email forms provided by PTPN's Political Action Center.
Contact your HR department and express your dissatisfaction with Blue Cross and the fact that you may be paying higher premiums for more limited access to providers.

At Elite Sports Physical Therapy, we know that we will not be able to continue to provide the standard of care that we would like at Blue Cross' new reimbursement rate. We are still evaluating our current situation and will keep all of our patients (current and future) apprised of our contract decisions.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 510.656.3777 or continue checking our website at www.espt-ca.com for updates.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Win a 32 gig iPod Touch!!

2010-01-21T21:46:00.001-08:00

The greatest compliment that we have received at ESPT is the recommendation of our services from past patients and the endorsement of our facility from referring providers.

To show our gratitude, Elite Sports Physical Therapy, will be having a raffle on Mar. 1, 2010 for a 32 gb iPod touch.

To qualify for the drawing, all you need to do is refer a patient to us sometime before Feb. 28. For each patient that you refer to us, you will be given a drawing entry. So the more people you send, the more chances you have to WIN!!!

For complete details about the drawing or to print up the entry form, you can check out our website at: www.espt-ca.com and click on the link.

Thanks again for your support and good luck everyone!!

Seeing With Our Hands, Not Just Our Eyes

2010-01-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

When I was in physical therapy school, a lot of my professors would tell us that as physical therapists we "see not only with our eyes, but also with our hands."

For a good manual therapist that is absolutely true. We use our palpation skills to look for soft-tissue tension, check for alignment issues, and assess proper motion/movement. We do more than simply ultrasound and exercise you as a patient. There are in fact a plethora of tools at our disposal. Below I'll describe a few of them for you.

Soft Tissue Mobilization
Often times muscle tension needs to be addressed or joint dysfunction may persist/return. For example, after an injury or surgery, adhesions and scar-tissue may form in the area, limiting normal range of motion (ROM). With soft-tissue mobilization, those adhesions can be broken down. In addition tissue fluids can me moved so swelling is dissipated and circulation can improve.

At ESPT, we are one of the few clinics in the area that offer Sound-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization. By using special tools to help break down the soft-tissue and fascial restrictions, we can better treat ongoing muscle and tendon issues (tendinosus) in ways our competitors can't.

Joint Mobilization
Muscle spasms can also respond to a restricted joint, so simply heating and stretching an area may not produce lasting results. By mobilizing a stiff joint, we can restore proper movement and range of motion, thus taking stress off of the surrounding muscles. These mobilizations should be painless, but on occasion can be a little painful if the joint is very stiff. In any case, there should be no lasting symptoms after the mobilizations.

At ESPT, we are the only clinic in the area with the ATM2 by Back Project. You can read more about it in our blog here. With the ATM2, we can "reset" your neurological system so that you do not perceive pain. Muscles often respond with guarding/spasm, when we are in pain. By supporting your body with the ATM2 apparatus and eliminating your pain, your muscles will have a chance to relax and return to their normal function, instead of tightening up to protect you.

Muscle Energy Techniques
This is a special technique using voluntary contractions by the patient to mobilize restricted joints and lengthen shortened muscles. This procedure is a little more active as compared to joint mobilizations, since it requires patient interaction to contract certain muscles against a counterforce provided by the therapist. These are tolerated very well and do not usually stress the joint.

High Velocity, Low Amplitude Mobilizations
This is a more aggressive technique that takes a joint to its restrictive barrier and thrusting with a low amplitude to restore proper joint motion. If it is used properly, increased motion and decreased muscle spasm should be noticed immediately. Therapists have to go through special coursework/training in order to perform these mobilizations.

At ESPT, we are fortunate to have the only Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist in the area. You can read about it in our blog here. And Joey is qualified to perform these high velocity, low amplitude mobilizations. Come see him if you have back pain/neck pain that has not improved with physical therapy elsewhere.

In today's health care environment, physical therapy clinics can no longer just be "gyms." Patients cannot come in and simply run through exercises. Therapists have to show what they are capable of and how they can provide a unique, professional service that others cannot. We need to prove our worth, so that patients know they are getting quality service and care with their insurance dollar.

If you haven't experienced any of the above techniques in your physical therapy treatment or would like to find out more about them, feel free to contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy @ 510.656.3777.

What Can A Manual Physical Therapist Do For Me?

2010-01-04T15:52:00.000-08:00

10-15 minutes
Ten-fifteen minutes. That is typically the amount of time most patients spend with their physical therapist. They are usually greeted by an aide when they arrive, then given some combination of hot packs, ultrasound, or exercise to warm-up. They may start with some exercises after that, then the therapist comes for a brief period to stretch them, do a little hands on work, or instruct them in some new exercises. After that, the patient continues with more of their program with the aide, then they end their session on ice and electrical stimulation. They might be in the clinic for 60-75 minutes, but they don't spend more than a fraction of that with the PT. Sound familiar?

If that sounds like your physical therapy experience, then you need to look for a new physical therapist. You need to make sure that your insurance dollar is getting the most for you. You need to seek out a new breed of physical therapist. You need a manual physical therapist.

New Era
In this era of rising health care costs, we know people value their money and their time. We don't want them to waste an hour at our facility thinking: "I could have received that same treatment from my personal trainer" or "I could have found that out from the web and saved myself $50."

Manual physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on the hands-on approaches used to treat dysfunction, rather than relying on a device or machine. In addition to be healing experience of human touch, manual PT's are able to affect muscle tissue and mobilize joints in an attempt to decrease muscle spasm/tension and improve joint motion.

Why Doesn't My PT Do It?
Manual therapy is only a small part of the education a therapist receives in school. Once in practice, many therapists may not spend the time, resources, or energy necessary to become efficient and proficient in this area of practice. And physicians may not have a thorough understanding of the benefits of manual physical therapy.

Manual therapy has been shown to provide relief for those suffering chronic neck and back pain, as well as conditions such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction and frozen shoulder. Whether relief comes once again from the touch of another human, manual technique have been shown effective in improving joint mobility, which can help decrease discomfort and alterations in motion/posture/function.
45 Minutes!!!
At ESPT, we have set ourselves apart by providing you the most 1-on-1 physical therapist time of any clinic in Fremont. By getting 45 minutes with the physical therapist, you can rest assured that we will be able to spend time working with you and assessing your treatment and progress in ways that other clinics cannot.

At ESPT, you will receive hands-on care at each and every physical therapy treatment. With manual therapy (and 3x as much PT time as some clinics are offering), you will have the experience of a licensed PT working to normalize your flexibility and mobility. Through soft-tissue work and joint mobilization, you will see firsthand why it's important to have that "hands-on" approach in rehabilitation.

At ESPT, we have the city's only Certified Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist. You can meet him here. And he will provide you with treatment that you cannot receive anywhere else.

If you want the best physical therapy care in 2010, contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy (510.656.3777).

Next Blog: Types of Manual Therapy

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

Today is probably the day most of you are returning to work after the holidays. It's a day that's usually approached with dread or anticipation. You either want the vacation to keep going or your excited to start the year off right.

At Elite Sports Physcial Therapy (ESPT), we want to wish you a prosperous and Happy 2010!!! Whatever resolutions you make for yourself this upcoming year, aim high. If you don't every shoot for the stars, you'll never have the opportunity to reach them, right?

For 2010, we have some pretty exciting things in store for the Fremont community. Keep checking our website (www.espt-ca.com) or blog (www.espt-ca.blogspot.com) for updates.

"Do more than is required.
What is the distance between someone
who achieves their goals consistently
and those who spend their lives and careers merely following?
The extra mile."

Gary Ryan Blair

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays From ESPT!!

2009-12-23T23:47:00.000-08:00

We all know the saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

Well no where does that ring true more, than at Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT). We want to make sure that it is not just our patients that are enjoying every moment of their physical therapy treatment sessions. We want to make sure our employees enjoy every moment of their time on our team!! This holiday season we had the opportunity to spend some time with each other outside of the clinic and hopefully we can do more of that in 2010.

We had the opportunity to support one of our own, Charissa Chaban, PT, ATC as she performed in Black Diamond Ballet Theatre's rendition of the Nutcracker Ballet. She was beautiful, along with the rest of the cast in their costumes, and they all performed wonderfully for the short amount of time they had to pull the production together. The only downside in my eyes is they played for just one weekend.

The next day, we had our ESPT Xmas Party at Spin-A-Yarn Restaurant in Fremont. We had a great time enjoying the tasty food and drink, but the highlight was seeing what our Secret Santa came up with for each of us. I was surprised to see how well everyone did in buying gifts for their assigned person.

As the year winds to an end, we want to thank all of our patients and referring providers for the trust they have placed in us. We will always promise you nothing short of the best in sports and orthopedic rehabilitative care.

Have a safe and happy holiday season. From our ESPT family to yours: Merry Christmas!!

ESPT Announcing Another Fremont 1st!!!

2009-12-15T22:52:00.000-08:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) is very excited to welcome to our team, Joseph M. Villena, MOT, COMT.

Joey is Fremont's 1st Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT). Physical therapists who hold this credential have to undergo an intensive yearlong course, then pass a difficult written exam. They have been trained in special manual treatment techniques that most physical therapists don't get in their respective education programs. With these added "tools" that they can incorporate into their treatment plans, manual physical therapists are growing in demand in this era of rising health care costs.

"With the economic recession, we want to make sure that patients feel their insurance money is well spent," says Jacon C. Chun, ESPT's Director of Physical Therapy. "With a manual physical therapist on board, patients will be getting something they can't get anywhere else. They won't feel like they can just read information off a website or go see a personal trainer and get the same care. For that matter, they won't be able to get the services of a manual therapist like Joey anywhere else in the area!!"

Since it's inception in 2007, Elite Sports Physical Therapy has elevated itself to the top in providing cutting edge, scientifically sound physical therapy without sacrificing top-notch customer service. With the addition of a certified orthopedic manual therapist to it's formidable team of clinicians, including the city's only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, you will not find a more experienced staff in Fremont to address your sports and orthopedic rehabilitation needs.

For more details about Joey, you can visit the team page on our website here: www.espt-ca.com.

For more details about the Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapy Certification, go here.

In our next blog: What Can A COMT Do For Me?

Shop 'Til You Drop!!

2009-12-13T22:14:00.001-08:00

Thank You!!

Thank you Sports Basement for hosting a wonderful shopping party for our friends, family, staff, and patients. I believe we all found some good deals and had a great time browsing in your store. To top it off, your refreshements kept us energized to tackle the many aisles of wonderful sports gear and products.

Here are a few pictures from our event last week: For the complete album of pictures, check out our facebook fan page here.

Floyd VitoCruz, MPT, CSCS (now with Stanford University Sports Medicine) comes back to visit the old gang:

Sam and Jake scoping for deals at Sports Basement:

The Choates having fun:

First time meeting Allison- Thanks for coming out Chang Family!!

Thanks everyone for your support of Sports Basement and Elite Sports Physical Therapy

For more details about the premier sports and orthopedic rehabilitation facility in Fremont, check out our website at: www.espt-ca.com.

Are You Ready To Rocktape?

2009-12-01T23:40:00.000-08:00

NOW AVAILABLE AT ESPT

What Is It?

ROCKTAPE is a performance enhancement tape and is designed for athlete that want a little edge in their game. ROCKTAPE helps athletes manage fatigue by promoting better circulation. All you have to do is put ROCKTAPE on the areas of your body that need a little help and you can go longer and harder.

What Does It Do?
ROCKTAPE helps:

Enhance performance
Prevent fatigue
Promote circulation
Remove lactic acid

How Does It Work?

Unlike traditional athletic tape which binds and doesn't stretch, ROCKTAPE is engineered to mimic the human skin. This stretchiness is the secret behind ROCKTAPE. ROCKTAPE stretches up to 190% of its original length, but has amazing "snap-back" or recovery. This is what gives ROCKTAPE its performance advantage over other tapes.

To achieve this, a special weave is introduced into the cotton when the tape is woven. This weave means the tape will only stretch in one direction. Along with it's "skin-like" nature, these properties create a Bio-Mechanical Lifting Mechanism. This allows the skin to be lifted away from the soft-tissue underneath the skin. This lift, in turn, promotes blood flow and lymph drainage. This is easy to explain, but difficult to manufacture, which is why we make our tape in a special factory in Korea.

ROCKTAPE can also be used to stabilize muscles and joints that have been sprained or hurt. Unlike braces and sleeves that constrain and reduce blood flow, ROCKTAPE can provide support and stability while increasing blood flow. Thus, the tape's capabilities make it well suited to the repair of localized muscle groups.

All of the above information and MORE can be found on ROCKTAPE's website here.

How Do I Get It?

Simply call us at 510.656.377 or email us at jchun@espt-ca.com to place your ROCKTAPE order now. To find out more information about Elite Sports Physical Therapy, check us out at www.espt-ca.com.

Are You Ready For Some Shopping?

2009-11-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

At this time of year, when we can all sit back and reflect on all that's transpired, I hope that you all have much to be thankful for. At ESPT, we want to take this time to extend our gratitude to everyone for your support and thank YOU.

In honor of YOU and in conjunction with Sports Basement, Elite Sports Physical Therapy is hosting a holiday shopping party at their Sunnyvale store. On December 10, from 6-8pm, guests of ESPT will be entitled to a 20% discount off their total purchase!! So if you are looking for great triathlon equipment, running gear, ski/snowboard goods, exercise clothing, or even Xmas gifts, come by and look around.

We would like to ask you to RSVP, as there will be food and drinks provided at the event. Please contact jhsu@espt-ca.com or call us at (510) 656-3777 for more details. We ask that you respond by Dec. 4th to provide adequate time for us to prepare for this event.

For more information about ESPT, you can look us up at our website (www.espt-ca.com). To read about why you should choose us as your physical therapy provider go here. Give us a chance to serve you. But most importantly, give yourself a chance to experience the best!!

Hope to see you on December 10th!!!

ESPT Now For All Ages!!!

2009-11-10T22:49:00.000-08:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) has joined forces with Pediatric Physical Therapist Linda J. O'Connor, MSPT, and will be offering some new services at their clinic for the Fremont community.

On November 7, ESPT entered into an agreement with Linda to contract her services, so more children in the area needing pediatric physical therapy could access her care. Already the Premier Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Facility in the city, ESPT will not stray from it's focus to continue that vision while adding this new offering to the public.

"I was approached by Linda because she found that more and more state/regional insurances were denying coverage for kids that needed PT. So parents had to rely on their personal medical insurances to pay for care," states Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, President of ESPT.

"After talking the situation over with her, we were thrilled to have her use our facility to be able to provide this much needed service to her patients. As an In-Network provider for most major insurances, we'll be able to help her patients get the care that they deserve and that's what medicine is all about. It's not the numbers or bottom line that matters, it's the people," says Chun.

The following is a little more information about physical therapists from the Pediatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA):

What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapists work to help children reach their maximum potential for functional independence through examination, evaluation, promotion of health and wellness, and implementation of a wide variety of interventions and supports. Pediatric PT's support children from infancy through adolescence and collaborate with their families and other medical, educational, developmental, and rehabilitation specialists. They promote the participation of children in daily activities and routines in the home, school, and community.

Pediatric physical therapy promotes independence, increases participation, facilitates motor development and function, improves strength, enhances learning opportunities, and eases care giving.

For more details about our clinic, look us up at www.espt-ca.com. For more information about pediatric physical therapy, contact us at (510) 656-3777 and we will put you in touch with Linda.

Welcome aboard, Linda!!!

Busy!! Busy!! Busy!!

2009-11-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry to have vanished off the blogosphere for like 3 months. There have been a lot of things going on at ESPT as well as my personal life. I'll try and keep you updated and apprised of it all in some more frequent posts this upcoming month.

A big part of my time the last 3 months has been devoted to teaching at Samuel Merritt University's Physical Therapy program. That's right everybody, my alma mater is now a university!! You can check them out here.

I have been teaching Sports Medicine to the 3rd year Doctor of Physical Therapy students. It's been a joy to share my experiences with them and has allowed me to reflect on how far I've come in the last 10 years. I've got a few more lectures to prepare before the end of the semester. As much as I enjoying the experience and the studying (and yes I enjoy the studying as it helps me review material and keeps me on my toes), I am looking forwards to the extra time next spring.

Here's a few more pics of SMU:

With the extra hours freed up, I hope I can devote more time to posting on this blog as well as on Examiner.com. In July, I accepted a position as the Sports Medicine Expert for them, but have posted very limited amounts because of the teaching position at SMU which fell into my lap in August. You can check out and follow me at Examiner.com here. More articles to come for sure in the spring.

And with all the above, don't think that I've put ESPT second. While pursuing these other professional opportunities, ESPT continues to offer the highest-level of sports and orthopedic physical rehabilitation in the Fremont area. As the premier physical therapy facility in Fremont, these are just a few examples of how we're not resting on our laurels and seeking to make sure the the community knows just how good we are.

For more information look us up at www.espt-ca.com.

ESPT Offers Innovative Treatment For Pain

2009-08-02T23:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the big break between posts. I've had a lot going on, which I'll update you about in future postings.

For this entry, I'd like to continue the discussion on treating low back pain. As I've mentioned before, PT's that simply focus on treating pain with modalities like ice, heat, e-stim, ultrasound are kind of archaic. That is a wonderful adjunct to a physical therapist's toolbox, but a good PT never focuses on a painful area and treats that area solely. The goal of treatments should be helping patients gain sustained functional improvements. And I've seen that most with helping patients improve flexibility/mobility and increase core strength/stability when treating low back pain.

At ESPT, we are now excited to offer to the Fremont/Newark/Union City community: The ATM2 by Back Project.
The ATM2 is a cutting edge rehabilitation tool used currently by top teaching hospitals, athletic rehabilitation facilities, and professional sports teams. It's rapid growth in popularity is the result of its unparalleled ability to provide immediate and sustained results for decreasing pain and increasing motion in suitable users.

The ATM concept focuses on eliminating a patient's symptoms/complaints by normalizing impaired movements. By effectively positioning a patient on the ATM2 device, the clinician is able to find a pain-free position for a patient that may have not been possible previously. When this position is found and stabilized, a series of gentle re-training movement exercises are performed to bring about immediate pain reduction, increased range of motion, and improvement in quality of motion.

In recent studies, it's been shown that muscular activation strategies are altered when there is pain. This altered activation strategy is a protective mechanism in acute injuries, but it can also become a problem for chronic injuries. When normal muscle activation strategies are restored is usually when individuals are successful at relieving pain and restoring normal motion.

ATM studies have enabled clinicians to help patients achieve an immediate, average of 60% reduction in pain and decrease the number of treatments needed to resolution by over 50%!! There are only a few select clinics in the area with this equipment.

To find out more details about us or the ATM2, feel free to call Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510-656-3777 or check out our website at www.espt-ca.com.

ESPT Press Releases

2009-07-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy is thrilled to continue to provide new and exciting rehabilitation services to the Fremont and East Bay community. We blogged previously about our Dance Therapy/Dance Rehabilitation program- a Fremont 1st!!

Now you check out some press releases about our offerings at Newswire and PR.com.

For more info call us at 510.656.3777 or check out our Elite Sports Physical Therapy website here.

AB 1152 And Physician-Owned PT Services

2009-06-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming at this time for a special announcement of the Elite Sports Physical Therapy Broadcasting System............

Assembly Bill 1152 (AB 1152) is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development on Monday, July 6th in CA. This bill would make it clear in the law that physicians and podiatrists may employ physical therapists in their professional corporations. Though many of these clinicians argue that by providing in-house rehabilitation services they are better able to oversee the physical therapy their patients receive, there are a few facts they are leaving out.

Referral For Profit Is About The $$$$

These physicians are billing for the physical therapy services provided; and therefore, they are profiting from them. Studies have shown that this poses an inherent conflict of interest for the patient, as the physician may be more likely to refer them for in-house physical therapy versus an independent physical therapist practitioner who may be better qualified.

In a June 16, 2009 Wall Street Journal article, the independent commission that advises Congress in Medicare payments said that "when physicians have a financial interest in imaging equipment, they are more likely to order imaging tests and incur higher overall spending in their patients' care." So could that also apply to physicians who own physical therapy practices? Could they continue to refer patients to their own in-house physical therapy even if it is unnecessary or outcomes are less than optimal?

In this article, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), they found that utilization, charges per patient, and profits were higher when physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities are owned by referring physicians.

In one more article posted in Medical Care, they found that after a physician group took ownership of a specialty hospital, there was a 650% increase inn patients referred for "complex" spinal fusion surgery. 650% people!!! At the same time, they decreased their referrals for "simple" spinal fusion surgeries, compared to an increase in such referrals from non-owners.

Physician Owned Physical Therapy Is Not About The Care

The JAMA article also discovered some interesting service characteristics of the physician owned PT practices in their study. They found that the physician PT facilities employed fewer licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants to perform physical therapy, so that those licensed professionals that were employed spent significantly less time per treating visit with the patient. So not only may you be getting a less qualified PT (remember a highly qualified PT will cost the doctor more $$ to employ them), but you are also probably going to spend less time with the PT you do get to see in these physician owned facilities.

This would be in stark contrast to a freestanding physical therapist owned clinic, that needs to earn the respect and trust of the medical practitioners and citizens of the community with their quality of care because referrals for them are not "automatic."

So What Does This Mean?

As consumers in the healthcare system, we need to be vigilant in preventing any inherent conflicts of interest that get in the way of quality of care. For AB 1152, you can do either or both of the following:

1. Please make a phone call and send a letter of opposition to your local state Senator. To find your state senator, click here and enter your zip code. Click on the state senator's name to access their contact information. Please make your phone calls of opposition to the senator's Sacramento/capitol office.

2. Fax a personalized letter of opposition to the fax number also found on the state senator's site through the above link. For a sample form letter or more details, you can go to the CPTA Legislative Action Center here.

REMEMBER, you need to be the person taking care of your own health. YOU are your best patient advocate. And that includes ensuring that those delivering your care, are doing it for no other reason than to see you get better.

Once again, we apologize for this interruption. We will return you to your regularly scheduled broadcasting shortly.........

The Back Pain Epidemic

2009-06-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

Did you know hat Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain? Did you know low back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work? And the only neurological ailment more common in the United States than low back pain is headache.

Most incidences of low back pain are temporary and the result of trauma to the low back from sports, overuse with housework/yard work, or a motor vehicle accident. This usually results in inflammation and muscle spasm in the low back, creating a problem that is mechanical in nature. There are situations, however, where the source of pain is a damaged structure like a protruding disk, a fractured vertebrae, or a pinched nerve. In these cases, it's very important that you seek the advice of a physical medicine and rehab physician or a spine specialist for the next step in caring for your back.
Finding The Right Balance
In treating many patients with mechanical low back pain (and even some of those with structural issues), I have found that there is usually an imbalance in hip flexibility, thoracic mobility, and core strength. In other words, most of my patients have tight hip/leg muscles, they are very stiff in the thoracic spine (usually from poor sitting posture), and have weak abdominal and back muscles due to deconditioning. Most of the time, correcting these imbalances will provide a significant reduction in pain and improvement in function.

For example, I had the opportunity to treat a crew athlete that had been diagnosed with several disc protrusions in his low back. One physician told him that he would never be able to row again. Another doctor said, "Who knows how many of these crew athletes have protrusions. They sit in that prolonged position in the boat for practice and competition. If we did an MRI on all the crew athletes, we might find some with the same thing. But how many of them are actually in pain? Go ahead and treat the imbalances first and see what happens."

Well, that's what we did. This crew athlete had very poor hamstring flexibility and core strength. We worked very hard on this for 8 weeks and he started to see improvements in both of these areas. Soon after, guess what: His Back Pain Decreased!!! And before he knew it, he was back in the boat with the crew team rowing!!

Treat The Cause, Not The Symptoms
Fortunately for the crew athlete, his second doctor was able to think outside the box, or should I say the back. (A very good doctor might I add. If you would like more information about him, email me at jchun@espt-ca.com). This is something that we are seeing more and more as medicine (and physical therapy) is evolving. Just because someone has back pain, you don't just keep treating the back. This can provide relief, but without addressing some of the other issues mentioned above, the back pain will likely return.

Most physical therapists use modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cold lasers, and traction to address low back pain. But that should not be the only thing they do. If it is, you need to find yourself another therapist. Those things will only address your pain. A physical therapist that looks at the whole person and not just the diagnosis, will help patients find the root cause of their back issues. They will help patients find balance in their bodies. Balance between flexibility, mobility, and strength, so that the low back pain is relief is for longer periods and the occurrences are fewer and farther between.
For more information about how physical therapy can help decrease low back pain or for a comprehensive evaluation, contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy at (510) 656-3777.

Next blog post........Simple Stretches and Exercises for Low Back Pain.

Barefoot Running- Au Naturel or Unnatural?

2009-06-04T00:38:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. By request, I will post an article shortly on low back pain with a few exercises you can try if you have problems with your own back.

But today I ran into this article which has an interesting take on running barefoot and the new "minimalist" campaign taken by Nike and some other footwear makers: Should-you-toss-your-running- shoes-and-just-go-barefoot?

Nike has their Nike Free shoes which are supposed to mimic the bare feet and allow the foot to adapt and strengthen as you run. The result is supposedly better biomechanics because one does not need to "rely" on footwear for support. The article even cites some runners that have noticed increased foot/leg pain with their new shoes.

Please check out my two part blog here and here, before jumping to conclusions. There is such a thing as too MUCH support when selecting a running shoe. And there is such a thing as too LITTLE support. Make sure you see a physical therapist or a podiatrist for proper footwear recommendations. I have seen many a running shoe store employee make the wrong recommendation. Only a proper biomechanical foot evaluation can give you a clear picture of the proper type of shoe for your foot.

Feel free to contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510.656.3777 if you have any questions. Just ask to speak with a physical therapist and will guide you in the right direction!!!

Repetitive Strain Injuries

2009-05-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI's) are the nation's most costly occupational health problem and that they affect hundreds of thousands of workers a year? The average annual cost spent on these types of injuries is $20 Billion Dollars!!!

The problem with a lot of 21st century jobs, is that most of them take place in front of a computer. Even my job as a physical therapist requires several hours a day in front of a computer completing paperwork on my electronic documentation system or updating this blog. And computers require very little task variation.

Most computer users stay in their chairs and type/perform mouse work for prolonged hours. This forces a few isolated muscles to activate repeatedly to accomplish a task like holding the head up to focus on the screen, moving the fingers to type, or moving the wrist to mouse. The repeated motions involved in typing or mousing can cause tendon and tendon sheath injuries, especially if the wrist or hand is in poor position during these activities.

A poorly designed computer workstation may also increase fatigue to any of the muscles in the upper extremity (forearm/elbow/shoulder) and irritate any of those muscles or tendons as well. To simplify things for you, just remember that you always want to maintain good posture. And that means straight wrists, elbows close to the body, and head straight and in-line with the torso.

For a little more detail, here are some tips for setting up your computer workstation properly:

1) Do not bend or twist your neck when looking at the monitor. Try to keep everything straight in front of you.

2) Make sure your computer monitor is not too high or too low. You don't want to flex or extend you neck for prolonged periods of time when working.

3) Try to avoid reaching when mousing or typing. Try to keep elbow to your side and close to your body when doing these activities. Try to keep the mouse and keyboard at approximately the same height.

4) Try to keep forearms parallel to the floor and your wrists should be kept in a straight line with your forearms. Angling the wrist up or down while typing or mousing is bad and contribute to wrist tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

5) Try to keep your thighs parallel to the floor and your feet should resting flat on the floor. If you're sitting too far forward in your chair or your feet do not touch the floor, this can increase stress to your low back with long periods of sitting.

In addition to properly setting up your workstation, there are two things that can help reduce repetition and decrease the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries: 1) Task Rotation or Job Enlargement- Manage your job and mix tasks so that you don't do the same job for a prolonged period of time and 2) Micro Breaks or Rest Pauses- Make it a habit to take short rest breaks to stretch your wrist and forearms, drink some water, and walk a little ways to get circulation to your legs.

If you need more help about properly setting up your workstation or preventing repetitive strain injuries, you can consult your company's human resources department to see if they have a certified ergonomics specialist they could recommend. Feel free to contact us as well at Elite Sports Physical Therapy. Taking care of your body now, means much less pain in your future. Happy Correct Posture Month!!!

All Physical Therapy Is Not Created Equal

2009-05-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

Just as there are many different types of hotels and restaurants, there are different types of physical therapy clinics. There are 5 star hotels like the Four Seasons and there are budget hotels like Holiday Inn. There are fine dining restaurants like French Laundry and there are casual dining experience like Applebee's. But the bottom line is you will always have to pay for the best quality and the best service.

Fortunately, for physical therapy and medicine, there's a little thing called insurance that helps people out. Insurance is the buffer so that people can have access, even to the very best medical services, without breaking their bank. And in Fremont, the very best physical therapy is found at Elite Sports Physical Therapy.

Remember, selecting a physical therapy facility is not like picking up a prescription from a pharmacy. You don't just want to select the one closest to home out of convenience. That's because one physical therapy clinic can be absolutely different from the next. And that difference could mean a good or bad outcome for your recovery. That difference could mean you just getting back to a level where you can function or you exceeding your expectations and being able to do things you never though possible.

At Elite Sports Physical Therapy, we do not just want to be any other clinic. Our vision is to be the best and set the standard for sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. Our focus is excellence in clinical care. Our mission is to make sure that the public sees what true evidence-based physical therapy is all about. Check out our latest press releases on Newswire and on PR.com to see what sets us apart.

So remember......when choosing your physical therapy clinic: All physical therapy clinics are not created equal. And you now have the opportunity to access the best at ESPT!!

Running Shoe Shopping Guide

2009-04-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

By now, you should all have an understanding of the type of foot you have and the type of shoe you need. If you are still confused or would like a more detailed biomechanical analysis of your foot or gait pattern, feel free to contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510.656.3777.

For those ready to take the plunge, let me give you a few more tips about purchasing the right running shoe for you.

1) Go shopping for shoes around the time you would run- Feet swell a little bit during the day with our weight resting upon them as we go about our business. So if you normally run in the evenings or afternoon, don't buy a pair of running shoes first thing in the morning.

2) Try the running shoes on with the socks you will run in- Don't wear dress socks to try on running shoes if you are stopping by on the way home from work. If you wear ultra-thin moisture wicking socks when you run, don't try on running shoes on a day you are wearing tube socks. Try and get as close to the feel you will have when you run. This will give you the most accurate picture of whether or not the shoe is appropriate for you.

3) Bring your orthotics with you- If you wear orthotics when you run, be sure to bring them with you. You will have to take into account the space the orthotic will occupy in the shoe.

4) Try on both shoes- Their could be a slight difference in the way each shoe is made or even in your foot size. Some people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Be sure both of your feet are comfortable before you seal the deal with the shoe store.

5) Try running in the shoe if possible- You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it right? So why would you just walk around in a shoe if you need to see how it feels when you run? Some stores, especially running specialty stores, may have a treadmill or track for you to try a light jog in the shoes before you purchase them.6) Try on more than one model of shoe- Once you know your type of foot and shoe, try on several different models to see which one fits the best. Every manufacturer makes slight tweaks on their models, even if they claim to be the same shoe type. See which one is the most comfortable for your foot.

7) Try to go to a running specialty store- As mentioned above, some of these stores focus on making sure you have the right shoe for your foot, so that you can get the most enjoyment possible out of running. Many of these stores are owned or managed by experienced runners. Buying a good pair of running shoes at a big box retailer is like buying a bike or golf clubs at Walmart. No offense to Walmart, but if you want the highest quality gear, you probably have to go to a specialty store. Look online for a retailer near you.
I hope this guide provides you some helpful hints on how to ensure you have the best fitting shoe for your foot. And remember, shoes have life to them as well. Once you have found the right shoe, that doesn't mean you stick with it until the sole falls off or the bottoms are so worn there is no tracion. Studies show that after 100 miles of running, a shoe loses about 10% of it's shock absorbing properties. After 400 miles, the shoe loses 80% of it's shock absorption.

So next time you think of hanging onto a pair of shoes because they still "look OK," ask yourself this: Would it be better to invest another $80-100 on a pair of new shoes when the time is right or to save the money and have to go see the doctor after continuing to run in my old shoes? If you ask me, I'd pick the new shoes!!!

It's Not Just The Glass Slipper That Needs To Fit

2009-04-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

We all know the story of Cinderella and the glass slipper. It's all about how the slipper fits. The same goes for running shoes as many of you gear up to start training again as the weather warms up. And I know the decisions to select the correct running shoe can be overwhelming with all the different shoemakers pushing their "technology" and the varied pricing from one type of shoe to the next.

Well I'm here to help you simplify that process, because I know how important a good pair of shoes can be. Pick the right one: You'll be enjoying them for a long time, achieving your fitness goals, and avoiding serious injury. Pick the wrong one: You may as well pencil yourself in for an appointment with me sometime down the road.

Understanding Pronation
A lot of clinicians will tell you that pronation is bad. Well I'm here to tell you that it's good. Overpronation is bad. Pronation is normal. It's natural. And we should all do it. You see pronation is the process where our foot rolls from the outside of our heel to the ball of our foot when we walk. This is a very important part of our gait mechanics because it helps us absorb shock. If there is too little pronation people can develop stress fractures, cartilage damage, even arthritis because the shock is not dissipated. If there is too much pronation, people tend to develop overuse injures like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and tendinitis.What Type Of Foot Do I Have
Selecting the right shoe begins with understanding the type of foot you have. Then you can accommodate your foot with the multitude of options available. Feet are usually separated into 3 basic types: low arch (overpronators), normal arch (normal pronators), and high arch (underpronators). You can determine this by looking at the imprint your foot makes on a dark colored towel when you step out of the shower.

Low Arch- No curve along the inside of your foot noted and imprint shows the whole foot. These people overpronate and will need a shoe to control the motion from going too far.

Normal Arch- A curve is noted along the inside of the foot. The band from the heel to the toe is a little less than half the width of the foot. These people just need a shoe to keep them doing what they are doing. The foot is functioning fine and we don't need to mess with it.

High Arch- A large curve is noted in the inside of the foot. Very thin band from heel to toe. These people need lots of cushioning from their shoes because they underpronate. They don't absorb shock, so they will need a shoe to do it for them.
What Type Of Shoe Do I Need
Now you know what type of foot you have, so what type of shoe do you get? Well it's easy enough because there are 3 shoe types to go along with the 3 foot types: motion-control, stability, and cushioned.

Motion-Control: These are shoes for the overpronators or low arch types. These shoes will help limit the overpronation, so they usually have a very thick arch and the sole of the shoe almost mirrors the foot.

Stability- These are shoes for the normal arch or neutral foot. They just keep your foot doing what it was meant to do. There is a semi-curve to the sole of the shoe, but the inside should not be built up too thick. If the arch is too rigid and stops your pronation (shock absorption), problems with arise.

Cushioned- These shoes are for the underpronators or high arch types. There is a curve to the sole of the shoe that may help with the heel to ball of the foot motion, but the most important thing with these shoes is that help with shock absorption. If your body is not absorbing shock, you will need a shoe to do the job.

By now you should have a good idea of what type of foot you are and what type of shoe you need. This will help narrow the field down some, but you will still have many options to choose from. In my next post- some shopping tips for you as you look for that perfect fit!!

Work It Out!!

2009-04-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderately intense cardiovascular activity 5x/week or 20 minutes of vigorously intense exercise 3x/week?

In addition to cardiovascular training, strength-training is recommended 2x/week for at least 8-10 different muscle groups. Sounds like a lot, well it's not. There simple things that you can do and you can look up the guidelines at: www.acsm.org for more details.

Thanks to Jeanene Cannon of Physique Complete for helping us start/continue on that plan with a nice small group Boot Camp tonight. If you are not sure how to start your program, she can be of great assistance to you. Check out her website at: www.physiquecomplete.com to see all of her offerings which include: 1-on-1 Personal Training, Boot Camp Classes, Nutrition Consults, Mommy/Baby Training Classes and much more.

At ESPT, we also offer personal training, with the goal of improving sports performance or postural conditioning. Two of our physical therapists are certified by the NSCA as Strength and Conditioning Specialists. This is the gold-standard of personal training certifications and is required by anyone wanting to work with Intercollegiate or Professional athletes.

Feel free to contact us at 510-656-3777 or jchun@espt-ca.com for more details about our personal training packages.

ESPT Begins 3rd Year in Fremont!!!

2009-04-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

On February 1, 2009, Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) began its third year providing sports and orthopedic rehabilitation to Fremont and the surrounding communities.

"It gives me great pleasure to see the satisfaction of our referring physicians and all of our valued patients," says Jacon C. Chun, MPT, ESPT's Director of Physical Therapy. We opened up our doors in 2007 to 1 patient. We now regularly see close to 20 patients a day."

To some, those numbers may not seem like a lot, as it is typical for a single physical therapist to see 15-20 patients a day in many clinics in today's world of declining reimbursements. With assistants and aides in a factory-like setting, some clinics can see 45-60 patients a day. Patients are shuttled around between clinic staff and only get to spend about 15 minutes with the treating therapist.

"At ESPT, our goal was not to be focused on revenue from the get go. Of course we want to make sure we cover our expenses, but I knew that if we took care of the clinical aspect of things, the referrals, patients, and respect would follow," comments Jacon. And they have. So much so, that ESPT just hired their 3rd physical therapist in February.

At this very difficult economic time, when most clinics could be cutting back on professional staffing and looking to increase productivity with assistants and aides, ESPT stands by their commitment to the best quality rehabilitative care. With the hire of their latest PT (see this post), Elite Sports Physical Therapy is holding true to their promise of providing the most 1-on-1 Physical Therapist time in Fremont.

"It is very important now that the little surplus/cash reserves that families have goes to ensuring they get the best medical care possible," says Chun. "We don't want people to come in and feel like they could have received the same treatment from a personal trainer, massage therapist, or from just reading a blog on some website. We want to make sure that people get the most out of their hard-earned money. We want them to see what Evidence-Based Physical Therapy is all about." (See here).

In addition to the most 1-on-1 PT time in Fremont, ESPT is the only PT clinic in Fremont with a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist and that does not double-book their patients. What this means is your treatment dollar will get you more at ESPT. You will have access to cutting-edge equipment seen only in the Bay Area's top sports medicine facilities, you will not be shuttled between assistants or aides, and you will enjoy the experience of being treated like a pro!!!

Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about our services or our insurance coverage. Our clinic manager will be more than happy to explain and to show you why ESPT is the Best in Fremont!!

Recession Blues? ESPT's The Answer For You!!

2009-04-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

At Elite Sports Physical Therapy, we understand that it is a very difficult time now for the economy. We also know that everybody is trying to make sure their dollars stretch as far as they can. Budgets are going to be tightened and compromises will have to be made. But one area, where that shouldn't have to happen, is your medical care. We feel, as you probably do, that your health is a top priority.

There are several reasons why we think you should consider ESPT for your orthopedic and sports physical therapy care, especially at this time:

1) Flexible Scheduling- At Elite Sports PT, we are now seeing patients on Saturday!! That's right. If you do not want to take time of work during the weekday, we can fit you in for a Saturday visit. We understand that most people do not want to be away from their workplaces, so we don't mind spending extra time at ours to serve you. We are open 8AM- 5PM on Sat., as well as 8AM-7AM Mon-Fri.

2) In-Network Provider- We are a network provider for most major insurances, medicare, and we accept cash patients. As a network provider your out-of-pocket expenses with us would be the same as any other clinic in

Fremont. Except that you would have access to the premier sports and orthopedic rehabilitation facility in the area. (More about this below in #4). For the insurances that we are not in networks with, we can compare our cash rates to what your out-of-pocket expenses with your provider would be to find you the best way of accessing ESPT's services. These are only a few of the insurances we accept. Please call us for specific information about your particular plan.

3) Multiple Payment Options- We are committed to making sure that everyone has access to the highest quality orthopedic and sports physical therapy care. We accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards at ESPT. We will also work with you on a payment plan if you are not able to pay your invoice in full at the time that it is due. The most important thing to us is that you get the care you deserve, when you need it. Not when you can afford it. Please call our clinic manager Jake, to see how we can best help meet your needs. He is very helpful and a joy to talk to.

4) Best Physical Therapy In Fremont- No other clinic in the Fremont area can provide you care that is as comprehensive and as complete as Elite Sports Physical Therapy. We have the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in the area, 2 athletic trainers, and 2 certified strength and conditioning specialists on staff. No one else in Fremont can provide you with that level of expertise all in one place!! (Check us out at www.espt-ca.com.) The most clinical experience and the most 1-on-1 physical therapist time in Fremont means better outcomes. Getting you better in fewer visits, means less out-of-pocket expenses for you.

We certainly understand the situation that our nation and most everyone is in. We are not immune to economic struggles ourselves at this time. We, at ESPT, love our jobs and what we are able to do. And though we may have our own financial struggles, we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to access us. That way you can get the best in physical therapy in Fremont and you can see why we are so passionate about what we do.

Dance Rehabilitation

2009-04-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy is proud to provide another 1st to the Fremont area. True to our motto of being the premier in sports and orthopedic rehabilitative care, ESPT is the 1st clinic in the area to offer true dance rehabilitation.

It's no surprise that with the grueling practice schedules of today's dancers/performing artists, acute and overuse injuries to the musculoskeletal system also become more commonplace. And it's important that the therapist treating these artists fully understand the skills involved and the goals of the performer. And that's why we at ESPT, have decided to provide this service to Fremont and it's surrounding communities.

Our physical therapist, Charissa L. Chaban, MPT, ATC, had the privilege of training at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in New York. In addition to treating dancers, Charissa herself is a professional ballet dancer in the Oakland Ballet Company. You will not find anyone in Fremont better equipped to treat your dance related injuries.

At ESPT, we also offer the most 1-on-1 time with the physical therapist and we have the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in the area. So if you are looking for a more complete team equipped to address your orthopedic issues, you won't find one in Fremont. You can check us out at www.espt-ca.com to see why we are the Best in Fremont!!

So, what is Dance Therapy? Well at ESPT we offer several unique services specifically tailored to these special "athletes." You will find a description of each below:

Injury Prevention Screening- This is designed to evaluate the dancer as a whole and to discuss the dancer's concerns before and injury occurs. After the assessment, the dancer is given an individualize injury prevention program with recommendations regarding technique modification, training strategies, and posture.

Pointe Shoe Readiness Screening- Designed to evaluate the readiness of the dancer with regards to pointe work including core, hip, leg, and ankle strength and ankle/toe flexibility. The dancer will be given an individualized home program tailored to address concerns and maximize pointe work abilities.

Physical Therapy For Dance-Related Injuries- With a doctor's prescription, the dancer can receive individualized treatment tailored to address pain and to help prevent future injury.

Feel free to contact us at (510) 656-3777 for more details about any of the above offerings. We accept all PPO insurances and have special cash-rates and payment options available.

Pediatric Overuse Injuries Part 2- Let The Kid Be A Kid

2009-04-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, overuse injuries in athletic children are increasing at an alarming rate. Most of this is due to lack of cross-training/multi-sport participation and is the result of sport specialization at a younger age. The consequence of this specialization is undue stress to an immature musculoskeletal system, resulting in overuse injuries.

So, other than having children play 2,3, or 4 different sports, how do we prevent these types of injuries? The first step is recognition. As mentioned in the last post, if your child or a child you coach is having pain in one of the following areas, they may benefit from a visit with an orthopedist: heels, shins, knees, hips, back, elbows, or shoulders. (Feel free to contact us at ESPT if you would like a referral to a local orthopedic physician).

Once you have identified a painful area that is not resolving, you can follow the RICES principle:

Rest- In children, most of their painful areas will resolve with appropriate rest. Since most of the symptoms in children are the result of stress to immature bones (growth planes), appropriate time for these areas to mature will often alleviate the pain. There are also taping techniques and assistive devices that can be used to take stress of these painful sites. A sports physical therapist with experience treating athletes can help you find the right equipment for your child.

Ice- Try icing the painful area for 15 minutes with an ice pack. You can use a ziploc bag with ice and a little water or a commercial gel pack. Be sure to place a wet towel between the ice and skin to prevent any irritation to underlying tissue. This can be repeated several times a day to minimize swelling and symptoms at the painful site.

Compression- As mentioned earlier, compression garments and equipment like braces/straps/tape can be used to help decrease symptoms. Check with you physical therapist or doctor for more details.

Elevation- Try to elevate the painful site above the heart to assist with carrying swelling away from that area.

Stretch- Release tension and muscle imbalances that could be putting stress to the immature bony sites and causing pain. A physical therapist that understands the sport requirements for your young athlete and the biomechanics of the specific recreational activity involved, will be able to design a program tailored to each individual's needs. No one is more qualified to do this than our therapists at ESPT. With experience treating athletes in 34 sports from lacrosse to water polo, synchronized swimming to football, no other clinic in Fremont can provide you a more complete sports and orthopedic evaluation to allow your child to return to the activities they love.
If your child's symptoms are not relieved with the RICES principles, it is highly recommended that you follow-up with your pediatrician or with an orthopedist for further medical evaluation. Early detection can help address issues while they are still manageable and help prevent progression to a condition that would require mandatory rest.

The bottom line is that it's important to keep kids healthy, to allow them to have positive developmental associations and pleasure with sports. This will allow kids to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It will allow kids to just be kids. And it may even allow some kids to emerge into the stars of tomorrow.

Pediatric Overuse Injuries- Too Much Of A Good Thing?

2009-03-15T23:10:00.001-07:00

I remember in high school when we voted someone most athletic, they usually were good at more than one sport. It may have been a guy that played football, then basketball, then baseball. Or a girl that played soccer, then ran track. That, however, is becoming less common today and specialization is becoming the norm.

Kids are becoming dedicated to a particular sport at a younger age. They focus themselves year round on trying to be the best. They go from their high school team to the club team. They hope for a possible college scholarship and perhaps a professional career.

Along with year-round preparation and practice though, there are consequences- an alarming increase in overuse injuries. In the 2005-2006 school year, more than 1.4 million injuries were sustained by high school athletes. Most of these, could have been prevented with proper education and timely treatment.

The important thing to realize is that children are not little adults. Coaches need to be educated in the effects of overtraining on an immature musculoskeletal system. What worked for them and what is tradition, is not always in the best interest of the young athlete. With the evolution of science and medicine, training methods also need to evolve.

If you bend a piece of metal repetitively, it will eventually break at its weakest link. And that is what happens with an immature musculoskeletal system. Where adults can get tendinitis, strains, or ruptures at their weakest links, children can get traction apophysitis injuries. These are irritations to the growth plates because children have bones that are not completely fused. Injuries at these vulnerable sites produce inflammation, pain, and can stimulate bone growth.

Common sites for these types of injuries are: heels, shins, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. If your athletic child is experiencing pain in any of these areas, the best thing to do is set up an appointment with your physician to have them evaluated, so the proper course of treatment can be recommended. (I'll talk a little more about treatments in my next blog). And remember, just because a physical therapist says they treat sports injuries, doesn't mean they have direct experience in a sports setting. At ESPT, our director is the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in the area. (Check us out at Elite Sports Physical Therapy).

The bottom line is that kids aren't immune to injuries and they are in fact becoming more common. Increased awareness by the athletes, parents, and coaches can aid with earlier detection and prevention. And this in turn will allow kids to continue playing the sports they love and to continue just being kids.

(To Be Continued)

ESPT Welcomes New Staff

2009-03-13T11:50:00.001-07:00

Elite Sports Physical Therapy is thrilled to introduce its newest staff members to the Fremont Community. Each of our therapists have been hand picked because of their experience and qualifications. At ESPT, our commitment is to provide you with the best physical therapy services in the Fremont, Newark, Union City area and this begins with our clinicians. Nowhere else in the area will you find a more complete orthopedic rehabilitation team, than at ESPT.

In September 2008, Floyd VitoCruz, MSPT, CSCS joined our team from the Riekes Center in Menlo Park. Floyd earned his Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from UCSF. He has since worked in both acute care and outpatient orthopedic settings. He has had the opportunity to work with a wide array of patients, including high school/collegiate level athletes, weekend warriors, and professional athletes.

Floyd believes that by empowering patients with the appropriate knowledge, they can be proactive in achieving their personal goal, be it returning to a desk job or competing in the Olympics. Outside of the clinic, Floyd enjoys cycling, keeping up with a variety of sports, and keeping up with his culinary skills. During the winter, you can always find him planning his next trip to Lake Tahoe, waxing/tuning his snowboard, and praying for the next perfect powder day.

In February 2009, Charissa Chaban, MPT, ATC joined ESPT from the ValleyCare Health System in Pleasanton. Charissa earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree from CSU Fresno. She has since worked as an outpatient clinic manager in beautiful Hawaii and as a traveling therapist throughout California.

Charissa is an accomplished dancer and has had the unique privilege of training at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in New York. Though her passion is in treating dance-related injuries, Charissa enjoys working with all types of patients from young to old and from sports injuries to everyday overuse injuries. Charissa is trained in mat and reformer pilates and continues to dance professionally with the Oakland Ballet Company. She will help us start a Dance Rehabilitation/ Dance Therapy program at ESPT- the 1st in Fremont!! (More on this in a future blog).

It is an honor an privilege for us at ESPT to continue to add only the best clinicians to our team. No other clinic can boast the credentials that we have at ESPT- the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in the area, 2 NATA Certified Athletic Trainers, and 2 NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists. All of this shows our commitment at ESPT to the highest level of clinical care.

What's With The Tape?

2008-08-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

Most people watching the olympics in Beijing were probably attracted to the colorful tape seen on numerous athletes throughout the event. It was present on track athletes, water polo players, basketball players, and for us in the US, especially on Beach Volleyball athlete Kerri Walsh.

I'm sure people were probably asking themselves some of the following questions: "What is the function of that stuff?" or "Does it really have any medical benefits?" or "Can I get some of that?"Well I'm here to inform you on what the "stuff" is and to tell you where you can get it.

What Is It?
The tape seen on all these athletes is called Kinesiotape and it was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 25 years ago in Japan. The Kinesiotaping method uses patented tape to help treat musculoskeletal disorders and assist with lymphedema reduction. Since it's introduction into the United States medical arena, Kinesiotape has been used by all practitioners including: physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and muscle therapists. The tape can be worn for several days with comfort and ease, thus allowing the individual using it to receive the therapeutic benefits 24 hours per day. It is currently used in hospitals, clinics, high schools, and professional sports teams.

How Does It Work?
Application

The tape can applied two ways: UNSTRETCHED or STRETCHED. Both provide different desirable effects for the body, resulting in decreased pain and thus, increased performance.

UNSTRETCHED: With this application method, the SKIN over the affected area is stretched before the kinesiotape is applied. After application, the taped skin will form convolutions when the skin and muscles contract back to their normal position. The convolutions lifts the skin, and the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid beneath the skin improve.

STRETCHED: If joints or ligaments are injured, the TAPE should be stretched before application on the skin. This will allow the tape to hold some tension and to take the place of the damaged joints or ligaments.

ORIGIN-TO-INSERTION: Starting from where the muscle begins (origin), tape is laid along it and ends where the muscle ends (insertion). This is typically used for support by pulling and stimulating the skin/muscle back towards the point of origin, thus assisting with muscle contraction.

INSERTION-TO-ORIGIN: This is used for preventing cramping or overcontraction (overuse) of muscles. The tape is laid from the end of the muscle back towards the starting point. This is good also for strain/sprains and tendon injuries where it is desirable to decr. tension/stress on tendons, muscles, or ligaments.

What's So Special About The Tape?

To ensure that the muscles can still move freely, Kinesiotaping is most effective with elastic tapes that have an elasticity of 130-140% of its original length. This will allow the muscle and joint to maintain its free range of motion, which will then allow the body's muscular system to heal itself bio-mechanically.

The elasticity of the tape also creates the convolutions on the skin, which help facilitate lymphatic drainage and improve circulation. This results in pressure and irritation being moved off of neural and sensory receptors, thereby alleviating pain.

How Can I Get It?
You can check out Kinesio Taping at their website at: http://www.kinesiotaping.com/. Or be on the lookout at ESPT, as we will be providing this service in the very near future.

Tiger Woods' Knee

2008-06-18T22:38:00.000-07:00

On my way to work I usually listen to sports radio and catch the top 6 sports news stories from the day before, just as I walk into the office. Today, the #1 story was Tiger Woods' season ending knee surgery. As I had a little bit more time to think about and learn what he had been diagnosed with, it brought into perspective just how amazing his win this past weekend was.

So lets summarize some the medical findings that came to light:

1) Tiger Woods will have ACL reconstruction on his left knee and will be out the rest of the season. This is for an ACL tear he say he sustained jogging in July 2007.

2) He had been diagnosed with stress fractures in his left tibia 2 weeks prior to the US Open and his doctors recommended he not compete.

Based on these findings, here are some ponderings I had today on how amazing an athlete Tiger Woods is:

Realization #1: Tiger Woods has been playing with a torn ACL. Specifically a torn ACL in his left knee. And he hasn't just been playing, he has been winning!!! He won the PGA Championship last year, the BMW championship and a few other tournaments to end 2007, he came in 2nd at the Master's this year, then won the US Open this past week. ALL ON ONE KNEE!!!!! For those of you who do not know much about the ACL, that is a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. Without it, the knee usually feels unstable and the shear forces and torque produced in the knee are higher than normal. These forces could possibly lead to incr. stress on the cartilage and meniscus. And for a right handed golfer with a swing like Tiger's, the forces on his left knee are probably ridiculous.

Realization #2: I have read articles where people have been questioning Tiger's timing in electing an April surgery, but like anybody else, Tiger Woods probably wanted to try all his options before going to the last resort- ACL reconstruction. This explains his decision to have arthroscopic surgery in April. I would assume this was a debridement type surgery where his surgeon would just clean out some of the damaged cartilage, so he would not get as much pain and stiffness. If the strength would return and his knee would feel stable, he could then opt for the ACL reconstruction at a later date. Usual timeline for rehab in this type of surgery is 4-6 weeks. Obviously this was not enough.

Realization #3: Perhaps trying to push his progress after the surgery, the stress to Tiger's knee after eventually lead to fractures in his tibia. Painful, but with time these will heal. It is amazing though that he walked 7,607 yards x 5 over the weekend with these fractures. All I can say is this guy is a gamer!!!

Realization #4: I am sure that the doctors went over all this with Tiger, and he said himself that he probably should have heeded their advice. Which probably would have meant having that knee surgery last year in July, after a problem with the ACL was discovered. But for an athlete that had yet to win a Major in 2007 and that was probably trying to win the FedEx Cup, staying in the game was the only option. Once again, the competitive nature of these elite athletes is something that is difficult for most of us in the general public to understand.

Having worked with athletes for the majority of my professional career, I understand how special some of these situations/competitions are for them and how special they are. And many times, my job is to help them just be ready and get by. Of course I have opinions about what is medically sound and what is not, but many of the decisions I leave up to the athlete. Because I'll never be their shoes. I'll never know what it's like to compete at the Olympic games or an NCAA championship. I'll never walk 18 holes in a US Open playoff at Torrey Pines with a chance to cement my place in history as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, golfer of all time. So, all can really do is watch, be amazed, and be ready when these athletes come calling.

Tendinosus vs. Tendinitis

2008-06-16T23:22:00.000-07:00

I had a patient come to me the other day that had been dealing with achilles "tendonitis" for the last 2 years. 2 years he had this achilles pain!!! He had been to 2 other PT clinics with some minimal improvement, but had never been able to return to his recreational activities (hiking, tennis, etc.), without his achilles flaring up. He finally went back to his podiatrist, who subsequently referred him to our facility. He said that most treatment focused on modalities with some degree of LE loading, but usually involving the whole leg without any isolated ankle activities.

Unfortunately I had to be the bearer of bad news and tell him that the modalities and ROM may have made him feel better, but they would never address what was really going on in his achilles. For after hearing his subjective Hx, and after completing my objective examination, I told him that what he had been dealing with was not "tendonitis," but tendinosus.

It's disappointing to me to see that even today medical professionals are still having difficulty distinguishing between achilles tendonitis and tendinosus. In the early 1990's, it was discovered by sports medicine professionals that most people that have achilles pain have achilles tendinosus. Accoding to Wilson et. al, American Family Physician, there are such things as acute tendinopathies, but most patients that have chronic symptoms suggest they have a degenerative condition that would be better characterized as a tendinosus or tendinopathy.

In radiologic tests (such as an MRI), the difference between a tendinosus is: a) the absence of any inflammation and b) a change in the appearance of the collagen of the tendon. Histologic studies done on painful achilles tendons have demonstrated a more disordered collagen arrangement together with increased proteoglycan ground substance and neovascularization. In layman's terms, the muscle tissue is scarred and thickened, and that must be corrected to allow for the muscle to heal properly and function correctly. Otherwise loading will result in more "tearing" or further damage to the scarred collagen, leading to increased pain.

Treatment options for this patient should have started with cross-friction massage, which he did not receive at all from either of the previous PT clinics. This would have allowed for the scarred collagen to be broken down. To assist with the proper collagen repair, exercises focusing on stimulating the achilles tendon should have followed, progressing from low load isometrics to eccentric muscle activity. Something he also did not receive at the previous facility. It is important that clinicians realize the difference between the two different tendon diagnoses. For the diagnosis will help to determine the appropriate treatment plan. And the appropriate treatment plan, can help to prevent a prolonged course of rehabilitation and allow for optimal outcomes and a quicker return to full function.

For more information on achilles tendon injuries or tendinosus check out these sites:

www.achillestendon.com

www.tendinosis.org

What is a Sports Clinical Specialist?

2008-06-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

Almost every physical therapy owner in private practice will say they provide sports physical therapy. But the truth is that most of these owners haven't really seen "true" sports PT. They've probably gone from outpatient clinic to outpatient clinic since graduation, seeing a few weekend warriors or high school athletes along the way, and say they are thus qualified to provide sports physical therapy or sports rehabilitation. I think this is why some physical therapists and athletic trainers clash. They each feel that the other is not qualified to perform some of the duties unique to each profession.

Just as there are many areas of medicine that one can specialize in (neurology, cardiology, nephrology, orthopedics, dermatology, etc.), the American Physical Therapy Association has established 7 specialty areas that physical therapists can be board certified in. Only 10% of the physical therapists in the U.S. are Board Certified in a specialty, which requires demonstrated experience in the specialty field and a passing score on an extensive written exam. This allows the Board Certified Specialist to display that they have a greater breadth of knowledge and skills in a particular area of practice than their peers. This includes sports rehabilitation.

So next time you are looking for someone with true knowledge in sports physical therapy, you want someone Board Certified as a Sports Clinical Specialist. These specialists must be certified athletic trainers or EMT's, and must have completed at least 2,000 hours working directly with athletes. They know the biomechanics of sport, exercise physiology, and sports medicine. And they know how to get you back in the game!!!

For an article about treating athletes with quotes from our director, please see: http://news.todayinpt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080526/TODAYINPT0105/80523019

For more about what sets Elite Sports Physical Therapy apart from our competitors, please visit our website at: www.espt-ca.com.

Your Doctor Is Important!!

2008-06-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

First of all, thank you all for tuning into this blog. I hope that the information is helpful and allows people to become better informed consumers of our healthcare system.

What prompted me to begin this blog is a situation that I see occurring with greater frequency in today's healthcare system and economy. I see people that are not qualified medical professionals (personal trainers, yoga instructors, pilates instructors, massage therapists), providing medical advice. And the confusing thing to me is that people actually seek out these people for advice. It's true that some of them do have other credentials as a chiropractor, nurse, or physical therapist maybe, but most do not. I don't know if it is an accessibility issue because they can get information quickly or that they don't want to seek out their physician because of cost, but this raises a red flag for me.

What I observed was several people at the gym seeking out a personal trainer for advice on aches and pains they were having. The personal trainer then proceeded to provide them suggestions on exercises and stretching. One incident that was extremely disconcerting was a young soccer player that twisted her knee and the father was asking the personal trainer what to do. Instead of recommending that the father seek a medical professional for his daughter, the trainer proceeded to recommend exercises which included jumping and hopping without having looked at the girl's knee (Not that the trainer would have known what to look for even if they did).

What if the girl had a meniscus tear? Without a proper evaluation and assessment, what may have been a non-surgical condition could have progressed to a much more serious tear requiring surgery. These are things that a medical professional could have ruled out first and at that point the strengthening could have proceeded. Perhaps under the guidance of a physical therapist or someone else the doctor is comfortable with.

Doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other certified medical professionals have 1000's of hours of experience at school and in the clinic. They pay for their education for a reason. They are armed with information the general population has not had access to, and their job is to share it for people's health benefits. Most fitness professionals have not had this type of training.

Seeing a doctor for aches and pains that happen is very important for another reason. Your doctor can order tests to rule out other medical issues as the cause of the pain. If the cause of pain is musculoskeletal, than exercises or stretching usually will help. But there are times when the pain is caused by a pinched nerve from a disc in the back or neck or another structure like a tumor. The aforementioned medical professionals have the skills to determine what warrants further medical care. They know how to prevent you, the patient, from making the condition worse. Fitness professionals do not!!

I'm just hoping that people learn that doctors are important. With the Internet, sometimes people may feel they don't want to wait for the doctor's appointment or pay the co-pay for the office visit, but doctors possess a wealth of knowledge and information to help people heal. They have access to cutting edge procedures and technology. They can provide referrals to other professionals to help. I know that it costs money to visit a physician, but tell me, would $20 for an office visit be too much if it prevented a $10,000 surgery?